Footwear sole and arch strapping system

ABSTRACT

A strapping system for footwear comprises a strap ( 1 ) that has a first end ( 3 ) connected to a first side of a heel portion ( 12 ) of footwear, passes over the instep of a foot, through a channel ( 31 ) extending through the midfoot of the footwear sole and back over the foot instep to thereby forming an X shape over the wearer&#39;s foot. The strap ( 1 ) has a second end ( 11 ) which may be adjustably connected to the second side of a heel portion ( 12 ) of a sole. The channel ( 31 ) is resilient and rigid so as to allow the strap freedom of movement during use: thereby achieving a dynamic and self adjusting strap fit. A footwear sole comprises relatively soft forefoot and heel portions with a more rigid shank portion therebetween to provide the sole with stiffness and torsional rigidity.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a Section 371 application of PCT/US99/20297 filedSep. 3, 1999, which claims priority from U.S. Ser. No. 09/148,306 filedSep. 4, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,929 and U.S. Ser. No. 09/196,977filed Nov. 20, 1998, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to footwear. In particular, the presentinvention is related to strapping systems for securely affixing footwearto a user's foot, and to shanks for providing rigidity and support toshoe soles.

2. Background of the Invention

There is a wide variety of prior art showing strapping configurationsfor footwear. Generally, the purpose of such strapping may be summarizedas securing the footwear to a user's foot and is often used inconnection with sandals.

Examples of prior art showing sandal or footwear strapping arrangementsinclude U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,200,997 and 4,446,633 to Scheinhaus, U.S. Pat.No. 4,679,334 to McBride, U.S. Pat. No. 3,327,410 to Park, U.S. Pat. No.4,793,075 to Thatcher, U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,302 to Saltsman, U.S. Pat.No. 4,300,294 Riecken, U.S. Pat. No. 2,788,591 to Gibson, U.S. Pat. No.2,126,094 to Daniels, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,862,311 to Ellis. Each ofthese patents disclose strapping configurations which generally engagethe ankle, heel, instep, toes, arch, or some combination thereof tosecure the footwear to the user's foot. None of these prior artdisclosures, however, nor any other existing strapping configurationshave been entirely satisfactory in securing footwear to the foot whilemaintaining a comfortable, durable, and convenient configuration. Thisproblem is particularly acute for sandals used in sports or othervigorous activities. As sandals have become more frequently worn inthese active endeavors, demands on strapping configurations have grown.No known existing sandal strapping configuration allows for the naturaladjustments of the foot and ankle during activity; such adjustmentswould enhance user comfort and ease of use.

One particular problem relates to ankle or instep straps. As the anglebetween the foot and the ankle changes during normal walking or running,the foot's main tendon that travels down the front of the leg and acrossthe instep of the foot is alternately tightened and loosened. Thiscauses the overall circumference of the ankle and instep to increase anddecrease. Any strapping that wraps the ankle must allow for thisexpansion and contraction, which necessitates such strapping to be ableto compensate for the size variation. Without such compensation, theankle strapping may overly restrict foot movement.

Prior footwear straps are typically oriented in a direction that doesnot correspond to the force vectors that occur during walking, running,or vigorous activity. Strapping usually is oriented at an angle ofapproximately 90° from the sole. This angle is appropriate to maximizestrapping strength only when the strap lies flat and parallel to thesole on the foot surface. As the top of the foot slopes forward,however, a strap oriented at a 90° angle from the sole must twist to lieflat on the sloping foot surface. This causes discomfort in the user anddiminishes the strength capacity of the strap.

Still other prior art footwear strapping configurations feature acontinuous strap that contacts the wearer's foot in multiple locations,such as around the ankle, across the instep, and over the front of thefoot. Such straps cannot remain taut during activity, due to movement ofother portions of the foot. A continuous strap that covers both theinstep and the forefoot, for instance, may lack the continuous, taut fitover the instep due to movement of the forefoot.

In addition to footwear strapping systems, other problems related tomovement of the sole in relation to the foot also remain unresolved bythe prior art. In particular, difficulties are associated with providingtorsional rigidity, arch support, and overall stiffness to a sole duringwalking, running, or other vigorous activity. While a generally soft andcushioned sole forefoot and heel portion are desirable for wearercomfort, they may result in a sole being undesirably soft and “floppy”.To prevent this condition, a relatively stiff and rigid shank may beprovided to bridge the softer, less rigid forefoot and heel portions.The more rigid shank also provides torsional rigidity to the sole,preventing undesirable twisting motions during a wearer's stride.

Prior art shanks include metal plates inserted in the midfoot regionbetween the midsole and either an outsole or an insole; a laterallynarrow section of rubber or other material attached to the bottomoutsole in the midfoot region (generally known as a “fiddleshank”); andother plastic components molded or glued to the sole midfoot region forsupport and rigidity. Such prior art shanks do not, however, adequatelyprevent and generally, are not well-configured to counteract thetwisting type of torsional forces developed during wearing of footwear,especially those forces caused by straps that pass through the sole.

Numerous unresolved needs therefore exist relating to footwear. A longfelt need exists for a footwear strapping configuration thataccommodates the foot's wide range of movement during sports or othervigorous activities. In addition, a need exists for strapping that iscapable of dynamically adjusting itself as required during such use.Further, unresolved needs exist for an integral, stiff and rigid shankportion to provide torsional rigidity and stiffness to an otherwiserelatively soft and cushioned footwear forefoot and heel portions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the present invention comprises a unique strappingconfiguration for footwear that provides for dynamic fit adjustmentwhile securely and comfortably affixing a sole to a wearer's foot. Thestrapping generally includes an adjustable X configuration strap whichis attached in some manner to a heel portion of the footwear, crossesover the wearer's instep, and passes through a transverse channel in themidsole of the footwear under the wearer's arch. The present inventionfurther comprises footwear incorporating the unique strappingconfiguration that securely fastens the footwear to the user's foot,even during sports or other vigorous activities.

The adjustable X configuration instep strap generally has a first endsecured to a first side of a heel portion of the footwear, crossesforwardly and transversely over the wearer's instep, passes through achannel in the sole of the footwear at the midfoot, the longitudinalcenter of the sole, extends rearwardly and transversely back across thewearer's instep (thereby forming an X over the instep), and isadjustably and releasably secured to the second side of the heel portionof the footwear. The channel may be angled downwardly from rear to frontin the longitudinal direction, parallel to the downward slope of thewearer's instep, so that the strap will lie flat on the wearer's instepand thereby more evenly carry forces that develop between the foot andthe sole during sports or other vigorous activities.

The X configuration instep strap acts to secure the wearer's foot to thefootwear sole. The strap preferably passes under the wearer's archthrough the midfoot channel, and thereby works to secure the transversemidfoot portion of the sole to the bottom of the wearer's foot.

The portion of the footwear sole through which the midfoot channelpasses, the midfoot shank, is preferably comprised of a relatively stiffand hard material. Incorporation of such shank material enables thechannel to not significantly compress and thereby not pinch the strappassing through it during use. The strap may thus be free to movethrough this channel as the foot moves in different directions duringuse. The sole including the arch channel may be manufactured separatefrom the sole and may be affixed thereto by molding or with an adhesive.This allows for the shank including the midfoot channel to beconstructed of a relatively hard and stiff material and to beconveniently attached to a softer, more pliable sole. Alternatively, theshank portion may also be an integral portion of the sole. Therelatively stiff and resilient arch channel also functions as a standardtype shank to add desirable stiffness and torsional rigidity to thesole, as will be discussed in greater detail below in relation toadditional embodiments of the invention.

In addition to the X-strap of the invention, the preferred sandalembodiment further may comprise a front strap system for releasablyattaching the sole to the forefoot, and a heel strap system forreleasably attaching the sole to the wearer's heel. Preferably, the heelstrap system may include a pair of opposing heel posts that may extendupward from the sole at the medial and lateral sides of the heel portionof the sole. Further, the heel strap system may include a T-strap havinga downwardly extending portion that attaches to the center, rear of thesole, behind the wearer's Achilles tendon. The two free ends of theX-strap can be connected to the front of the lateral and medial heelposts. A side member or lateral strap may be further used that extendsfrom the lateral heel post to the front strap to provide additionalsupport for the foot. However, additional strap configurations now knownor hereafter devised by those skilled in the art may be utilized.

As indicated above, the present invention optionally further comprises afootwear sole having relatively soft, low density forefoot and heelportions with a higher density, more rigid shank portion. The twodistinct density materials may be hot compression molded together tofrom a structurally integral unit. The high density, more rigid shankportion of the invention may, but need not, comprise the transversechannel described above for passing a strap. In addition, the sole ofthe invention may be particularly well suited for, but is not limitedto, use in sandals.

In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, the solemay comprise a molded unit of two or more different densities ofthermoplastic or thermosetting polymer compounds. One compound may be ofsuitably low density and hardness to provide flexibility and cushion.Near the midfoot region of the sole, underlying the user's arch, is ashank portion comprising a denser, harder, stiffer compound. Thepresence of the higher density, stiffer shank tends to insure that thearch of the foot will have improved support. In addition, the relativelystiff shank is desirable to lend structure and support to the sole atthe midfoot region where the outsole does not touch the ground, toprovide a desirable overall stiffness to the sole during walking, and toprovide torsional rigidity. The structural effect of the shank may beeasily controlled by varying the hardness of the shank as desired.

Before explaining the several embodiments of the disclosure in detail,it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in itsapplication to the details of the construction and the arrangements setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Thepresent invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practicedand carried out in various ways, as will be appreciated by those skilledin the art. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology andterminology employed herein are for description and not limitation.

The advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparentfrom the following detailed description when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a strapping system ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detail of one embodiment of a fastener for use in connectionwith of the strapping system of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a detailed medial side view of the midfoot channel useful inconnection with the strapping system of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the midfoot channel of the strappingsystem of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a footwear article ofthe present invention incorporating the strapping system of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of one embodiment of a sole of the presentinvention having an integral shank;

FIG. 7 is a cross section taken along the line 7—7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a bottom and medial side perspective view of a secondembodiment of a midsole of the present invention having an integralshank; and,

FIG. 9 is an exploded top and medial side perspective view of the secondembodiment of a midsole of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawing figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view offootwear showing one embodiment of the strapping system of the presentinvention. The footwear may be of any type, including sandals. Thefootwear, as is conventional, includes a forefoot and heel portions,with a midfoot portion therebetween. In accordance with certain aspectsof the present invention, a channel 31 is provided through the midfootportion of a sole of the footwear, underlying the user's arch, as morefully explained below.

Preferably, strap 1 is operatively attached at a first end 3 to oneside, e.g. the lateral side, of the heel portion of the footwear. Strap1 preferably extends transversely across and forwardly across and overthe instep of a wearer's foot. In accordance with certain aspects of thepresent invention, a strap passes through midfoot channel 31, enteringat a medial side 5 and emerging at a lateral side 9. Strap 1 thenpreferably extends in a rearward, transverse direction back across thefoot instep. Strap 1 is preferably adjustably attached at a second end11 to the medial side of a heel portion of the footwear.

While the heel strap system (heel portion) 12 is generally shown in FIG.1 as comprising two upstanding posts 14, 15 and a heel strap 16interconnected therebetween, it should be appreciated, as previouslybriefly noted, that other strap configurations or heel portions may beused. For example, the heel strap system may comprise a unitarystructure formed of webbing or other material, or may comprise aplurality of interconnected straps. These and other modifications arewithin the scope of the present invention.

Moreover, it should be appreciated that ends 3 and 11 may be attached toheel portion 12 at any desirable location, for example at any pointalong the path traversed by strap 16.

One attachment device useful for attaching at least a portion of strap 1to heel portion 12 is illustrated in FIG. 2, comprising mating hook andloop fasteners. In accordance with this embodiment, strap 1 passesthrough a pivot loop 21 attached to the heel post 15 of the footwear. Asection of mating hooks 23 are preferably located on the bottom of strap1 near strap second end 11. A corresponding section of mating loops 25are located on the top side of strap 1. Strap 1 may thereby beadjustably and removably attached to itself by pulling it through pivotloop 21 to a desired tightness and releasably fixing section of hooks 23onto section of loops 25. Other attaching devices may comprise matingfemale-male connectors, buckles, friction buckles, snaps, buttons, shoelaces, or other fasteners now known or hereafter devised in the art.Moreover, strap 1 may be adjustably attached at end 3 to heel portion12, or alternatively not be adjustably attached to either end 11 or 3.

Preferably, strap 1, as previously noted, passes through channel 31. Inaccordance with various alternative embodiments, however, strap 1 may beattached to or within the sole 8.

With reference now to FIG. 4, channel 31 preferably extends across thewidth of the midfoot region of the sole and is substantiallyperpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the sole. Angular orientations,for example, from front to back or vice versa, may also be utilized.

In accordance with various aspects of the present invention sole midfootregion 7 may include a shank 7. Shank 7 may comprise any resilient,stiff material to help prevent channel 31 from collapsing and pinchstrap 1 when force is applied downward on the shank 7 during use. Thestiffness and resiliency of shank 7 also tends to impart advantageousstrength and torsional rigidity to the sole. Shank 7 may be manufacturedseparate from the softer and more pliable sole and attached thereto withan adhesive or the like. Alternative methods of manufacture may be used,such as molding the shank integrally with the other portions of the soleas will be described below. In cases where shank 7 comprises a separatecomponent, channel 31 may be molded directly into shank 7, or apassageway, grove or other device may be formed on shank 7 to permitpassage of strap 1 therewithin or therewithon.

In accordance with a preferred aspect of the present invention, strap 1is free to move through channel 31, thereby tending to enable a dynamic,self adjusting fit. For example, as the foot may shift and move aboutduring use, midfoot channel 31 allows strap 1 freedom to respond. Thisallows for strap 1 to maintain its fit across the foot instep and formaintenance of a correspondingly firm, responsive, and comfortable fiteven during vigorous activity. However, movement of strap 1 in channel31 is not required.

With reference now to FIG. 3 an expanded medial side view of channel 31in the sole midfoot region 7 shows strap 1 passing there through.Midfoot channel 31 may be generally configured in any desirableorientation. Preferably, and with continued reference to FIG. 3, channel31 is angled forward and downward at an angle of Ø. Angle Ø ispreferably between about 2° and about 15°, and more preferably betweenabout 3° and about 6° measured from a horizontal plane as shown in FIG.3. In accordance with this aspect, as the respective ends of the X-strap1 extend upward and over the wearer's instep, the angle Ø will tend tobe maintained, thus causing the surface of strap 1 to lie approximatelyflat on the sloping instep of the wearer's foot. Angling the channel ina downward and forward longitudinal direction tends to desirably directthe respective ends of strap 1 in a forward and upward direction closelymatching a typical forward and upward direction that the sole is pulledby the foot during walking or running. In this manner the angling ofchannel 31 may maximize the ability of strap 1 to absorb forcesdeveloped during use, and provides for user comfort as strap 1 will tendto lie flat on a wearer's instep. However, other midfoot channelconfigurations with channel 31 extending horizontally, upwardly or otherconfigurations may be employed.

Strap 1 may be fabricated from any suitable flexible material havingsufficient tensile strength, such as a woven fabric, leather, suede, andany known material in the art. A preferred strap comprises woven nylonas is well known in the art. Fabric weaves may optionally comprisereflective material, thereby providing 360° reflectivity for enhanceduser safety.

While the strap assembly set forth in FIG. 1 and variously referred toherein as a “strap assembly” may be used on a variety of footwearproducts, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the presentinvention comprises a sandal 40, such as is shown in FIG. 5. Sandal 40preferably includes a sole 51 and a variety of straps including aversion of the strap assembly hereof connected thereto. Preferably, astrap 41 has a first end 43 attached to a heel post 45. Strap 41 passesover a foot instep and into a channel 47. Channel 47 preferably extendstransversely through sole 51. After exiting channel 47, strap 41 passesback over the foot instep, through a midfoot loop 53. A fastener 55 foradjustable fastening of strap 41 to heel post 57 cooperates to securestrap 41 to loop 53. Strap 41 thereby forms an X-shape over the wearer'sinstep. Fastener 55 may comprise a buckle with lever as illustrated, orother means as are known in the art, including, for example, hook andloop fasteners, male-female connectors, buckles, buttons, snaps, shoelaces, and the like.

Sole midfoot region 49 may be fabricated from a resilient and relativelystiff material to provide desirable torsional rigidity to the softer andmore pliable sole 51. In addition, the stiff and relatively rigidconstruction of midfoot region, or shank 49, provides support to thearch region of a wearer's foot. Advantages related to torsional rigidityand arch region support will be discussed in greater detail below inassociation with additional embodiments of the invention.

Because preferred sole midfoot region 49 may be comprised of a resilientplastic material while sole 51 may be comprised of a softer, morepliable material, sole midfoot region 49 is preferably manufacturedseparate from sole 51 and then affixed thereto using adhesives or thelike. Midfoot region 49 need not necessarily be prepared separately fromsole 51 and attached thereto; it may also be integral with sole 51. Sole51 is constructed as generally known in the art, and may, for example,be comprised of a relatively tough and wear resistant outsole, and asofter and more cushioned midsole. A soft insole or footbed for contactwith the wearer's foot may be adhered to the upper surface of the sole.As used herein, the term “sole” refers to the structural sole of thefootwear, and includes a unitary sole, an outsole and/or midsole, butdoes not encompass an insole. Sole 51 is preferably molded of ethylenevinyl acetate.

A heel strap 59, for securing a wearer's heel to the footwear, ispreferably attached at a first end 61 to a medial heel post 45, and at asecond end to lateral heel post 57. Heel strap 59 second end 63preferably is adjustable, and thus may extend through heel loop 65, andthrough a heel fastener 67. Fastener 67 may comprise any of severalfasteners that are well known in the art, including, for example, alever operated buckle as illustrated, mating hooks and loops, matingmale/female buckles, buttons, laces, snaps, or the like. Heel strap 59desirably may be provided with a downwardly extending T-strap member(not shown) that attaches to the center, rear of the sole. If a T-strapis utilized, heel strap fasteners may be provided at one or both of thelateral and medial heel posts so that the wearer may adjust the T-strapas desired. As previously noted, other heel strap configurations mayalso be used.

Sandal 40 may also include a lateral side member 59 and forefoot strap69. Lateral side member 59, when employed, preferably extends betweenheel post 57 and forefoot strap 69. Forefoot strap 69 adjustably securesa wearer's forefoot to sole 51. For example, forefoot strap 69 may beadjustably tightened through front loop 71, and fastened back ontoitself through fastener 73. Fastener 73 may comprise any of the severalfasteners as known in the art, including, for example, mating hook andloop fasteners, buttons, laces, buckles, and the like.

Although various of the embodiments of the invention have beenillustrated and described herein as generally in use with sandals, itwill be understood by those knowledgeable in the art that the X-strap ofthe invention may likewise prove advantageous for use with other typesof footwear. In particular, the X-strap of the invention will be usefulin any application where a snug, responsive, and dynamic fit betweenfoot and footwear is desired.

As discussed above, the present invention may optionally furthercomprise an improved shank configuration for providing a footwear solewith torsional rigidity, arch support, and stiffness. These advantagesare best described in relation to the invention embodiments illustratedin FIGS. 6-9.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an embodiment of a sole 110 comprising a solepiece 112 and an integral shank 114 fused therein. Sole piece 112 isgenerally in the shape of a foot and includes a forefoot portion 116, aheel portion 118, a medial side 120 and a lateral side 121. Sole piece112 may be comprised of a wide variety of thermoplastic andthermosetting polymer compounds. Ethylene vinyl acetate (“EVA”) foam ispreferred, but other compounds may be used. The density and hardness ofsole piece 112 may be set as desired, with a relatively soft, cushionedconsistency desirable for foot comfort. Hardness ranges for sole piece112 will range between about 30 and about 60 Shore C hardness, with apreferred hardness of about 55+/−2 Shore C. Shank 114 resides in themidfoot region of sole 110, underlying the user's arch and bridging theheel and forefoot region.

Shank 114 preferably extends all the way through the sole 110 in avertical direction, as best seen in FIG. 7. In addition, shank 114 isnot located only in either the medial or lateral portion of sole 110,but preferably extends into both portions for optimum torsionalrigidity. An embodiment of the shank of the invention may extendsubstantially across the transverse width of the footwear sole, asgenerally described hereinabove with reference to previous footwearembodiments of the invention. The specific configuration of the shank isnot critical, but preferably Shank 114 is sized to bridge between theheel and forefoot regions of the sole. Shank 114 may also be comprisedof a suitable thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer compound, with EVAfoam preferred. Shank 114 may optionally comprise a channel (likechannel 31 shown in FIG. 1) for passing a strap as described above withreference to previously illustrated embodiments of the invention. Thecomposition of shank 114 is denser, and hence stiffer and harder, thansole piece 112. In accordance with certain embodiments of the presentinvention, shank 114 preferably has a hardness in the range of betweenabout 55 and about 85 Shore C hardness, with a preferred hardness ofabout 80+/−2 Shore C. Preferably a differential of about 20 to about 30Shore C hardness exists between sole piece 112 and shank 114.

A preferred method of making the integral sole piece 112 and shank 114of the invention comprises the steps of cutting out a portion of solepiece 112 corresponding to the shape of shank 114, cutting out a shankpiece 114 from suitable hardness material, and hot compression moldingshank 114 into sole piece 112. Chemical cross-linking bonds are therebyformed between shank 114 and sole piece 112, integrally fusing shank 114with sole piece 112. Other methods of attachment comprise use ofadhesives or the like.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a sole in accordance with an additionalembodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 is a bottom and medial side view ofa midsole of the invention, while FIG. 9 is an exploded top and medialside view of the entire sole of this embodiment. Midsole piece 150preferably has a bottom surface 151 and an integrally molded midfootshank 152. Shank 152 is preferably comprised of EVA foam with a hardnessof between about 55 and about 85 Shore C, while midsole piece 150 ispreferably comprised of EVA foam with a hardness of between about 30 andabout 60 Shore C, approximately 20-30 Shore C less than shank 152.

Midsole piece 150 is preferably configured to include an upwardly archedmidfoot portion 154 that extends laterally across the sole. The medialside of midfoot 154 preferably has a thicker, raised portion 156 adaptedto underlie and support the user's medial arch. In this embodiment, thebottom surface of shank 152 is preferably molded to provide two opposinglobes 162 protruding downwardly at the lateral and medial midfoot, andthereby forming a shallow groove 164 between them. The foregoingfeatures, including the arch 154, raised portion 156, lobes 162 andgroove 164, are preferably formed when the midsole sole piece 150 andshank 152 are hot compression molded together to form integral midsole170.

A shock pad 153 is optionally provided, preferably at the center of theheel region 155. Pad 153 may be separately formed and may be insertedinto a molded cavity in midsole 150 to absorb energy from a heel strikeand release the energy when the user moves forward in a resilient,spring-like manner. Shock pad 153 operates in combination with shank 152to reflect and rebound energy in a forward direction. This combinationhas been found to provide benefits over either shock pads or integralshanks employed individually.

Turning now to FIG. 9, midsole 170 is preferably sandwiched between atop sole 172 and an outsole 174. A top surface 176 of shank 152preferably having a raised arcuate portion 178 protrudes upwardly on themedial side of the midfoot, underlying the user's medial arch. Integralmidsole 170 has a raised perimeter edge 180 and a broad recessed area182 between edge 180 and the raised arcuate portion 178. Top sole 172 isaffixed to the top surface of integral sole 170 as depicted in FIG. 7.An exemplary embodiment of top sole 172 has a shape and thickness thatcorrespond to the recess 182 in the midsole 170, so that a substantiallyflush surface results upon attachment of the top sole to the midsole.Top sole 172 is preferably comprised of EVA foam with a hardness ofabout 20 to about 40 Shore C durometer.

Top sole 172 may have an arcuate indentation 184 at the medial midfootto match raised portion 178 of shank 152 thereby enabling exposure ofportion 178 when top sole 172 is in place. Alternatively, top sole 172may completely cover shank 152 including raised portion 178. In eithercase, however, preferably a substantially flush outer surface isobtained. For example, outsole 174 may include a raised ridge 186 aboutits outer perimeter that will wrap around outer, lower edges 187 of themidsole. A preferred outsole raised edge 186 has opposing front sideportions 188, opposing rear side portions 190, front end 192, and backend 194 that are raised higher than the remainder of raised edge 186.These regions correspond to areas of increased wear, thereby makingdurable outsole 174 desirable.

Outsole 174 preferably includes a bridge portion 196 which rests in theshank groove 164 of the midsole. Placement of bridge portion 196 ingroove 164 helps to stabilize outsole 174 from lateral movement relativeto the midsole. Outsole 174 may be comprised of any resilient, rubberlike material, or polyurethane, and is preferably attached to the bottomof integral sole 170.

The advantages of the disclosed invention are thus attained in aneconomical, practical, and facile manner. While preferred embodimentsand example configurations have been shown and described, it is to beunderstood that various further modifications and additionalconfigurations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It isintended that the specific embodiments and configurations hereindisclosed are illustrative of the preferred and best modes forpracticing the invention, and should not be interpreted as limitationson the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An X-strap assembly for securing an article offootwear to the instep of a foot, said footwear having a sole andchannel through said sole, said X-strap assembly comprising: a) a strapattached at its respective ends to medial and lateral heel sides of saidfootwear, said strap having a first portion extending in a forwarddirection transversely across the instep from a first side of saidfootwear to a second side, a second portion extending through saidchannel, and a third portion extending in a rearward directiontransversely across the instep from said first side to said second sideof said footwear, said first and said third portions forming anX-configuration over said instep; wherein said channel is located at themid-foot portion of the sole, and wherein said channel passes completelyacross the sole; and b) a fastener attached to said strap.
 2. An articleof footwear, comprising: a) a sole, the sole having a midfoot portionand a heel portion; b) a channel extending transversely across themidfoot portion of said sole; c) an instep strap connected to said heelportion of said sole, said instep strap having a first portion extendingin a forward direction transversely across a wearer's instep from oneside of said sole to the other, a second portion extending through saidchannel and slidable within said channel, and a third portion extendingin a rearward direction transversely across the wearer's instep fromsaid one side of said sole to said other side of said sole, the firstand third potions of said instep strap forming an X configuration overthe wearer's instep, and the second portion being between the first andthird portions of said instep strap; and d) an adjustable fastenerattached to said instep strap for adjusting said instep strap.
 3. Anarticle of footwear as in claim 2, wherein said midfoot portion of saidsole (51) includes a shank (114), said shank at least partly underlyingsaid sole (51), said shank being stiffer than said sole (51), saidchannel (47) extending through said shank (114).
 4. An article offootwear, as in claim 3, wherein said channel (47) is angled downwardlyfrom rear to front in a longitudinal direction.
 5. An article offootwear as in claim 4 further comprising a heel portion strap assembly(59), a forefoot strap assembly (69) and a lateral strap (59) extendingtherebetween.
 6. A footwear product to be worn by a user on the user'sfoot, comprising: a) a sole, the sole having a midfoot portion; b) atransverse passageway extending through said midfoot portion of saidsole; c) a strap system configured to secure the footwear product to theuser's foot including: a heel portion, an X-strap assembly coupled tosaid heel portion, wherein said X-strap assembly includes a continuousstrap having a first portion extending transversely across the user'sinstep from said heel portion on a first side of the footwear to asecond side, a second portion extending through said transversepassageway from said second side to said first side, and a third portionextending transversely across the user's instep from said first side toa heel portion on said second side of said footwear, said first and saidthird portions of said X-strap assembly forming an X-configuration overthe user's instep, and an adjustable fastener for adjusting the lengthof said X-strap assembly.